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St. Therese of Lisieux is such an awesome saint.

For years I have loved praying a novena to her and have always been amazed by how she truly does send a rose – or roses.

As a teacher, I was blessed to teach at a school named after her – Little Flower High School for Girls.  I only taught there for a year . . . and the day after that school year ended, my son was born.  For those of you that don’t know, I struggled with infertility for years and that son came to us through the miracle of adoption.

Becoming a mom was my prayer intention every day that year (and for years before).

It’s always awesome to meet someone else that has a special friendship with this saint.  Being in a building with teachers and students who loved her was quite a treat.

Now, I not only have a fondness for her, but her mother, Saint Zelie’, has become quite an inspiration to me as well.

Getting to know how she loved Jesus and others so simply is truly a great way to help other grow in faith.

If you know a big fan of the Little Flower – here are some gifts they will LOVE this Christmas!

Since I found sooooo many products, I broke this guide up into categories:

New and Trendy

Jewelry

Classic Style and Teacher Gift Ideas

Books and Prints

For Little Ones

New and Trendy

Saint Therese’ Socks

made by Sock Religious

Does your school have crazy sock days???

Do you love unique socks?  Or are you looking for a gift that is fun but also useful?

These are perfect! St. Thérèse of Lisieux or as we like to say, St. Thérèse of LiSHOE! With “The Little Way” written on the bottom of the sock, you’ll be reminded each day to live as she did with great joy in the little things.

Temporary Tattoos | The Little Flower Collection | St. Thérèse of Lisieux Tattoos

Made by Just Love Prints

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux teaches us that it is great love and trust, not great deeds, that make a saint. Thérèse knew she was a beloved daughter of Godand that He loved her no matter what. May we alwaysmodel her strength, simplicity, and confidence in God’s love on our journey toward sainthood!

Just Love Prints also just released St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s Little Way of the Cross | Stations of the Cross Meditations

“St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s Little Way of the Cross” is a beautiful prayer booklet that focuses on the Stations of the Cross and includes gems from Scripture, the writings of Saint Thérèse, and the words of Jesus from the imagination and prayer of the author, Victoria Clarizio.

St. Therese’ Shirt

Made by pycnocline

Available in youth and adult sizes!

Custom designed, custom bleach “dyed” t-shirt featuring a design of roses in a shape of a heart.
The design is a custom design by me and was inspired by St. Therese when she said
“When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens,I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.

My Vocation is Love Tee

Made by Little Way Design Company

Jewelry

Necklaces

St. Therese’ Pendant Necklace and Earring Set

A lovely long pendant necklace with large resin rose wire wrapped with peach crystals from which hangs a St. Therese medal and metal rose. Matching earrings are included with this necklace.

Saints&Sayings Necklaces made by Ave Maria Faith Crafts

As featured in Sweet Little Ones blog! The new Saints&Sayings line is a hit! Pick one from the current selection of saints, or have one made just for you! 
The approximately 20 inch silver tone over the head chain showcases a featured Saint with a handstamped quote attributed to that particular Saint and a handmade charm depicting a symbolic item or colors associated with the Saint or quote. 

A Gold Little Flower Necklace from Pink Salt Riot (use the create your own option and choose the little flower charm!)

Pink Salt Riot has cute Little Flower earrings too!

A Necklace Inspired by the artwork of Saint Therese of Lisieux

Share your love of St. Therese as well as her influential story by wearing her original art.

Our artistic representation of St. Therese incorporates elements of original artwork by this beloved saint, as well as flowers in French Provencal style. The “Little Flower” confessed she was too little to climb the great staircase into heaven. So she said she had to take the elevator. Remember this “elevator” every day—and what the elevator stands for—with this miniature 19th century elevator door with flourishes based on her actual handiwork. Available in 14 karat gold or sterling silver. 

Bracelets

Saint Therese Catholic Rosary Bracelet – Vintage Cloisonne Beads – Gift for Catholic Women

Little Flower Bangle Bracelet 

Made by Smallthingsgr8love on Etsy

Saint Therese of Lisieux bracelet

Made by AveMariaFaithCrafts on Etsy

Beautiful chain bracelet featuring the lovely St. Therese of Lisieux at its centerpiece. Three large (14mm) very detailed acrylic roses in red, pinkish coral and white surround her on either side. Approximately 8 inches in length with a stainless steel lobster clasp. 

Classic Style and Teacher Gift Ideas

Sacrifice Beads in Ceramic Vintage-style Roses

Made by Happy Nest Home Goods

Set of sacrifice beads, modeled after those used by St. Therese of Lisieux to count little acts of kindness or little sacrifices made for love of others throughout the day. Keep the beads in your pocket and each time you offer something up (holding your tongue, stubbing your toe, emptying the dishwasher, anything you can think of!), move a bead towards the Crucifix. This beautiful practice will help foster your ability to see opportunities to offer every moment to God.

My Vocation is Love Coffee Cozy

Made by The Cozy Wife

Books and Prints

The Little Flower: A Parable of Saint Therese of Lisieux

Young Thérèse Martin loved Jesus so much, she wanted to do something great for him. But she is too little to do big things for Jesus…or is she? The Little Flower: A Parable of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is a wonderful way to introduce children to the spirituality of St. Thérèse’s “little way” with its lesson that even the littlest act, done with great love, is beautiful in Jesus’s eyes. Writer Becky Arganbright has adapted St. Thérèse’s lesson of the little flowers into a delightful parable for children. The young Thérèse learns that even though she might be little, with God’s help, her littleness can be a way of doing great things for God. Illustrator Tracey Arvidson brings the young Thérèse Martin (and the flowers of her parable) to life in gorgeous illustrations.

Inspirational Prints by Sweet Little Ones

The Sweet Little Ones Shop has numerous prints, inspired by St. Therese’, that will beautify your home and soul!

For Little Ones

 

St. Therese’ Pillow Doll

Made by BlessedFriends4Ever

St. Therese Peg Dolls

Several small businesses make these: WorthyofAgape, GrandExpression and CabriniCreations

Chews Life Bracelet for Kids

This soft silicone chewable bracelet features another Chews Life exclusive medal, in Cream:St. Therese on one side, and her parents Sts. Zelie & Louise on the other.  

A pretty bow!

Made by Hair Bows 4 Life

 

Saint Bows are made with a  silver oxidized oval 1″ medal of your choice.  These medals are made in Italy. Bows are guaranteed for life!

The Be Yourself Journal

Be Yourself: A Catholic Journal for girls is perfect for the middle schooler or tween!  There are tons of writing prompts, inspirational quotes to color and fun games like an old fashioned teen magazine.  There is even a “design your own prayer room” activity!  Several pages in the journal highlight the example of St. Therese.  A letter from her to the reader, a coloring page with the Little Flower novena, a coloring page with a St. Therese’ quote and more!!!

 

Still shopping?  See my Spiritual Stocking Stuffers Gift Guide for over 30 gift ideas!!!!

 

The post The Ultimate “Little Flower” Gift Guide appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

But, he didn’t have a car.

I had known a little bit about St. Therese’, after all, one of my younger sisters was named after her.  I was interested in learning more about this saint who sends roses . . . so I volunteered to drive my fellow teacher.

I felt a connection with St. Therese’ that day.  I think one reason was she was 24 when she passed away, and I was 24 at the time.  I bought a picture of her that has been on display in my home – wherever I lived – since that day.  She became a patron saint of mine, and someone I felt was “a friend in heaven”.  My devotion to her started to grow.

Thirteen years later I was working at a high school named after my heavenly friend, “Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls”.   At this point in my life I asked the Lord daily to make me a mother.  My husband and I were hoping and praying to adopt.

I befriended a wonderful teacher at Little Flower named Sister Marie. Sister Marie told me she was going to visit the Carmelite Monastery to ask the Sisters to pray for her there.  She said, “I only go there when there is something I really need from the Lord.  When I go there, God knows, this is a serious request.”  I thought – “you can go there and talk to nuns??? You can ask them to pray for you???” I asked if I could come too.  She said of course. We drove separately, but went in together.  First Sister Marie spoke privately with the Carmelite nun.  I didn’t hear anything they had said to one another.  Then it was my turn. I went in this closet sized room and talked to a door.  The Sister was on the other side.  I told her how much Matt and I longed to adopt a baby and become parents.  I asked her to pray for us.

Three months later, I was holding my son.

Until last week, that was the last time I entered the Monastery.  I was more than excited to go back.  Not only was I anxious to ask Sisters to pray that my husband and I will be blessed with another child, but I was excited to simply visit.  I was also excited to do my first official blog video!

I was looking forward to bringing the intentions of those who asked me to pray for them.  I was eager to pray close to the relics of not only Saint Therese, but her parents who are now also canonized saints.

Before I knocked on the door to enter, I stood in the courtyard and did a short Facebook Live video (click here, scroll down, videos are under photos).  Here is where I filmed the first video:

Then, I knocked and rang the bell of this door:

I was “buzzed in” and went back in that closet sized room where I saw the opaque screen and barrel-shaped wooden door that I remembered from four years before. It was there that I met Sister Rose.  This Carmelite nun gave me advice on marriage:

and told me about another Sister that lived with her there.  This Sister was adopted!  Her parents adopted twenty children!  What an amazing way for the Lord to assure me that adoption is a calling, and asking Him to give our son a sibling is something He not only can do, but would LOVE to do!

Sister Rose also told me I could come back to the Monastery for the upcoming novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

Before I said goodbye to her I may have volunteered to drive her or the other Sisters to any doctor’s appointments they have in the near future!

I asked her how I could pray for her, and before I knew it I was giving her my contact information and volunteering my driving services. That will be a whole other adventure!

After getting lost and confused in a house with many doors,

I finally found the relics of St. Therese’, Saint Zelie and Saint Louis Martin.

These golden roses house relics of Saint Therese’ and her parents.  I knelt and prayed for the intentions of everyone who asked.  I wrote the names of those who asked for prayers in this notebook.  I then admired the chapel.

Such a peaceful place.  I look forward to going back!

I then drove to the Miraculous Medal shrine.  I will write a separate post on that visit!

Interested in seeing the summer schedule?  Check it out here: Summer Shrine Schedule 2016

If you are interested in learning more about Saint Therese’, or her parents, here are some resources (affiliate links):

This Kindle book is free! Five Lessons from the Carmelite Saints That Will Change Your Life

Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Model for Our Times

A Call to a Deeper Love: The Family Correspondence of the Parents of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, 1864-1885

The post Visiting the Carmelite Monastery appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.